To the Editor:

Sen. Kelly Ayotte’s recent vote to protect our Second Amendment rights was the right call.

I have heard people claim that she caved to political pressure, but I disagree.

Citizens of this great country have the constitutional right to keep and bear arms and as long as you follow the laws of this country that right should not be infringed upon. Sen. Ayotte’s vote was to protect that right and I applaud her for that.

Instead of infringing upon our rights, the senator feels that there must be increased support for mental health awareness, an increased effort to enforce our existing gun laws while also strengthening criminal law by proposing stronger straw purchasing and illegal firearm trafficking statutes.

As much as I am disgusted and heartbroken by the horrific tragedy in Newtown, Conn., I know that more stringent background checks would not have prevented that mad man from carrying out his awful deed.

The senator did what she was sent to the Washington, D.C., to do – support and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

I only wish our other senator felt as strongly about our Constitution. Join me in thanking Sen. Ayotte.

LENETTE M.
PETERSON

State representative

Merrimack